A Horse of a Different Colour
Feature Story posted on October 25, 2007
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You can call him Chief! When the Piikani Nation named Cliff Henderson honourary Chief, they compared him to a horse. But it was no ordinary horse: Go Wild was a world champion bucking bronco recognized for its exceptional spirit and determination.
Henderson, Assistant Deputy Minister of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development's Forestry Division, was named Chief Sorrel Horse at a traditional capturing ceremony conducted by Chief Reg Crowshoe and assisted by Elders Leonard Bastien and Jim Swag in August.
The ceremony is about building relationships and sharing a way of life. It is about honouring and expressing appreciation to non-members for making significant contributions to Aboriginal Peoples. The Aboriginal Junior Forest Ranger supervisors recommended Henderson for the honor because of his commitment to aboriginal youth.
“It really was a tremendous honour to be recognized in this way,” Henderson said. “The event was filled with tradition and culture which are things that I value greatly in my life.”
The event involved stories, songs, face paint, dances and prayers. Participants described Henderson as a forward-thinking leader and mentor who is committed to a sustainable forest. Also highlighted was his love of a good horse and the great outdoors.
The ceremony took place at the JFR/AJFR Bull-of- the-Woods event near Edson. Elder Lenard Bastien offered prayers to Mother Earth and conducted the traditional face painting. He also presented Chief Sorrel Horse with a Piikani eagle feather headdress.
Members from the Small Boys Camp and the Piikani Youth Drum Group provided the ceremonial drumming music. Elders of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation (Rocky Mountain People) prepared and served a traditional bannock and moose stew supper.
Throughout his career, Henderson supported aboriginal employment opportunities and training. The aboriginal firefighting program continued to develop under his leadership, and he promoted establishment of the Aboriginal Junior Forest Ranger Program in 2003.
In his remarks, Henderson recognized the effort and dedication of SRD forestry staff, including the Junior Forest Ranger and Aboriginal Junior Forest Ranger members.
Henderson is the latest in a number of non-members of the Piikani named an honorary chief. Previous recipients of the honour include Alberta Finance Minister Lyle Oberg, former federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon, actors Robert Stack and Rod Cameron, and former Assembly of First Nations Chief Matthew Coon Come.
The Piikani Nation lies between Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek and, together with the Blackfeet Tribe in neighbouring Montana , forms the largest tribe of the Blackfoot Nation. After the Piikani signed their Treaty and the buffalo began to disappear, they channeled their energies towards ranching and their success as ranchers is still evident today.